Selective mixing assembly



April 1944- J. w. CARLSON SELECTIVE MIXING ASSEMBLY Filed Aug. 3, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. izrz CarZaorz April 19447 J. w. CARLSON I 2,346,290

SELECTIVE MIXING AS SEMBLY Filed Aug. s, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

I John Wfrlaom BY age.

April 11, 1944'. J. w. CARLSON SELECTIVE MIXING ASSEMBLY Filed Aug. 3, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. 0/ 212 74 6227160,

' Patented Apr. 11, 1944 2,346,290 SELECTIVE rxmo ASSEMBLY John W. Carlson, Chicago, 111., assignor to Automatic Canteen Company of America, Chicago, Ill., a corporation oi Delaware Application August 3, 1940, Serial No. 350,191

13 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in mixing assemblies for selective drink vending machines. The specific application of this invention is in machines for vending beverages compounded from a syrup and a liquid such as carbonated water. 7

One object of this invention is to provide a new and improved means for delivering one of a plurality of syrups to a mixing chamber simultaneously with the introduction of a mixing fluid such as carbonated water. Toward this end, the applicant provides a plurality of syrup measuring valves, a term used herein to describe a chamber having alternately opened and closed inlet and outlet valves, one for each type of beverage-syrup, in association with a single mixing chamber having a carbonated water inlet valve, and further provides a mechanical means for opening the carbonated water valve when any one of the syrup measuring valves is caused to discharge its contents into the mixing chamber. By this arrangement the external controls for the mixing assembly do not exceed in number the syrup measuring valves with the beneficial result that a simple lever train extending from each one of these controls to a point outside of the vending machine cabinet will make it possible for a customer to cause the mixing assembly to prepare the beverage selected. As an illustration of this feature, see applicant's co-pending application, Serial No. 301,528, filed October 27, 1939, now Patent 2,261,338, of which application the present constitutes a continuation in part.

Another object of this invention is to provide a syrup measuring valve which lends itself readily to use in close relationship with similar valves so that .a plurality of identical external controls, one for each valve, will occupy a minimum amount of space. The importance of this objective lies in the fact that it is desirable to refrigerate a mixing assembly of the type here disclosed and it follows that in mechanical structures. it is necessary to pass the control elements through the wall of an insulated cabinet. A vending machine employing the type ofmixing assembly here disclosed within a refrigerated cabinet may be seen in the application of Ernest H. Thompson and Leo W. Doggett, Serial No. 319,224, filed February 16, 1940, wherein it will be observed that the external controls for the mixing assembly are parallel rotatable shafts positioned in close relationship to one another whereby all of them may be brought through a comparatively small opening in the wall of the refrigerated cabinet. A feature of this invention contributing toward attainment of this object is the employment of cylindrical measuring valves having axes in parallel or side by side alignment and each controlled by a rotatable shaft lying in the axis of the associated cylindrical valve. These shafts are elongated on the outside of the mixing assembly so that they may be extended through a small opening in the wall of a refrigerated cabinet;

A further object of this invention is to assure the cleansing of the mixing chamber after each mixing operation for it is undesirable to alter the taste of one beverage, such as root beer, by the flavor of a different beverage, such as carbonated orange, which was previously prepared in the same mixing, chamber. Toward accomplishing this, the invention of the applicant includes several features. One of these is the shaping, particularly the rounding, of the interior walls of the mixing chamber so as to eliminate any nooks which will not be reached by the swishing action of the carbonated water which is introduced under considerable pressure. Another feature is the sharp sloping of the mixing chamber fioor together with a long tapering funnel-like construction leading to the discharge spout. These features supplement the force of the carbonated water in causing the syrup to be completely removed from the mixing chamber. A third feature is the employment of a unique baflle over the carbonated water intake. This baffle is shaped to perform. two functions: its principal function is to introduce a substantial portion of the carbonated'water to that part of the mixing chamber where most of the syrup discharged from any one of the syrup measuring valves is to be found so as to co-mingle with this syrup to form a beverage, while its second function is to sweep the remainder of the carbonated water to all points of the mixing chamber and downwardly along a funnel-like course into a spout.

Another object of this invention has the same general purpose aS the last named object. namely, it seeks to prevent the taste of one drink appearing in a different subsequently-mixed drink. More specifically, this object is to cause the shutting. off of the carbonated water during the mixing operation to lag the closing of any one of the syrup measuring valves so that under ideal operations the last liquid to leave the mixing chamber will be clear carbonated water. In actual use it has been found necessary to make considerable adjustments as to each valve in order to control the amount of clear liquid that fiows into the cup at the end of each dispensing operation. In order that this control may be readily made for each syrup measuring valve with respect to the common carbonated water valve, this invention provides a common bar for actuating the carbonated water valve which is positioned in nevertheless a uniform quantity of clear flush water after each mixing operation will be provided.

A further object of this invention is to provide means for rapidly emptying a syrup measuring valve. These measuring valves have only a very limited period of time in which to drain, because the mixing assembly here disclosed is of the type which measures a selected quantity of carbonated water for each drink by holding a carbonated water valve open for a given length of time. .This length of time is comparatively short and hence it follows that a syrup measuring valve must completely empty itself during that interval of time in which the carbonated water is flowing. In this invention the applicant provides a modified gate valve having a large orifice which permits the quick emptying of a syrup measuring valve. The measuring valve disclosed herein may be compared with that shown in applicant's co-pending application, Se-

-ria1 No. 214,431, filed June 18, 1938.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for readily altering the volume of the syrup measuring valve. It will be appreciated that it is desirable from a manufacturing standpoint to have the measuring valves of like size with all movable parts interchangeable. On the other hand the amount of syrup required for five ounces of one type of drink is not necessarily the same as the amount of syrup required for five ounces of another type of carbonated drink. The applicant has provided new and novel means for altering the volume content of a syrup measuring valve without necessitating changes in its operation or essential structure.

These and such other objects as may hereinafter appear are attained by one embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the mix- .ing assembly mounted inside of a refrigerated cabinet;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the mixing assembly with one of the syrup measuring valves partly cut away;

Figure 3 is a front view partly in elevation and partly in cross-section showing the syrup measuring valves in three different positions;

Figure 4 is a view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a front view of the valve actuating elements and the cams.

Continuing to refer to the drawings and particularly to Figures 2, 3 and 4 where the mixing assembly is shown without reference to its specific mounting as in Figure 1, it will be noted that the assembly comprises a central casting I8, see Figure 3, having three cylindrical chambers I2, I4 and I8 into the top of which are syrup inlets I8, 28 and 22 which, as may be seen in Figures 3 and 4. have a substantial width at the point of opening into the cylindrical chamber and are of considerable length. The purpose of this is to make certain that the measuring valve quickly fills with syrup from the feed lines above. Into the bottom wall of each cylindrical chamber is cut an aperture, these bearing the numbers 24, 2'5 and 28. These openings approximate in size the cross-sectional area of the cylindrical chamber so that itiwill be understood that they are capable of draining that chamber by means hereinafter described very quickly.

Means for coupling the syrup inlets I8, 28 and the bottom 42 of a projecting portion of a flash cooler 44 has been perforated by three holes to receive the tapering collar openings 32, 34 and I 88. Here, the screws 48 not only hold the top casting 88 to the main casting I8 but with a ing the syrup measuring chambers f2, I4 and I i and in effecting a cleansing action in a mixing chamber 48.

One of the features of this invention is the employment of a single mixing chamber for all of the various syrups. Referring to Figure 2 or 4,

this mixing chamber 48 is defined by the bottom of the main casting I8, an open topped casting 58 and a cover member 82. Referring to Figure 3, the main portion of the mixing chamber 48 is narrower than the combined width of the measuring valve chambers I2, I4 and IS with the result that outwardly directed shoulders 54 and 58 are provided in that portion of the mixing chamber beneath the gate valves 58, 68 and 82 in order to permit the valves to function. On the forward end of the mixing chamber is affixed by any suitable means a plate 64 carrying a delivery spout 68.

Carbonated water is admitted to this mixing chamber through a valve and coupling generally identified by the numeral 88, see Figure 4, wherein a valve member 18 shown in closed position may be moved downwardly by the pin I! when so urged by the arm 14.

A feature of this invention is the bame 18. This baffle, as may be seen in Figures 3 and 4, comprises a cylindrical chamber having a small aperture 18 opening forwardly and a larger opening 88 directed toward the rear of the mixing chamber 48. This baflle I8 is disposed directly over the carbonated water valve 68 and is fastened to the base, see Figure 3, by means of screws 82 and 84 passed through the wing members 88 and 88 on the baflle I8. Inasmuch as the car.- bonated water inlet valve 68 is mounted midway between the two sides of thebottom of the mixing chamber 48, it has been necessary to provide a cut-out portion 88 in the upper part of the baffle IS in order to permit actuation of the gate valve 68.

The means for opening the carbonated water valve 88, which is normally held in closed position by a spring 82, com-prises the arm 14, referring to Figure 4, mounted in a shaft 84 which is disposed in the rear portion of the bottom casting 58 and extends across its entire width, see Figure 3. Afllxed to each end of this shaft 84 are forwardly projecting arm members 98 and 88 which at their forward ends are joined by any suitable means to a bar I88. Referring to Figure 2, this bar I88 and the two arm members 88 and 88 form a U-shaped member rigidly fastened to the shaft 84 with the bar I88 disposed beneath the three valve stems I82, I84 and I88 which, as described hereafter, actuate the various elements within the syrup measuring valves. Moreover, referring to Figure 4, each-valve stem such as I04 has its end I08 flattened to receive a complementary driving means on a shaft I I which is rigidly fastened to a, driving member II2. Rotator'y movement of the driving member II2, the means for which is not pertinent to this invention, will cause a like rotational movement in the shaft I I0 and the valve stem I04. Additionally, a sleeve II4 to which is rigidly fastened a plate II6 disposed adjacent to the driving member II2 has at its inner end a cam II8, which may be seen in Figure 2. This cam H8 will engage the bar I00 one. counter-clockwise movement of the driving member H2. The sleeve H4 and hence the cam H8 is adjustable with reference to the driving member II2 by means of a. screw I seated in the platev H6 and riding in a slot in the driving member I I2. By loosening the screw I20, the

plate II6 may be moved in a relativerotational the screw engaging the driving member II2 will draw it tightly to the plate I I6.

This sleeve II 4 is one of the features of 'this invention in that it makes possible a ready adjustment for the opening and closing of the carbonated water valve with reference to the opening and closing of the elements within a syrup measuring valve. By means of this sleeve which is on each of the valve stems I02, I04 and I06, the

valve stem I 04 is journalled in a cover plate I which is fastened to the main casting I0 by any suitable means such as screws I42 and the valve stem I04 is held against forward movement by the spring I44 which is disposed between the driving plate I34 and the inner wall of the cover 4 plate I40.

It will be observed that as a matter of fact the spring I44 does not engage the inner wall of the cover plate I40 but rather the member I which is spaced from the. cover plate I40 by the proper relationship may be established between each of the syrup measuring valves and the common'carbonated water valves. Thus, referring to Figure 5, the cam H8 is shown in intermediate position with the bar I00 partly pressed down so that the carbonated water valve 68 isxpartially open. Referring to Figure 3, in the intermediate valve stem in measuring valve chamber I6. The

brackets I12 and I14 have notches in their-upper position, it will be notedthat the gate valve is closed. It follows that the flow of carbonated water may be caused to lag the closing of the gate valve 60. By this arrangement, the cam on each syrup measuring valve may be adjusted with respect to the carbonated water valve until each will prepare its special type of beverage properly with the requisite flush of clear carbonated water and then a single driving means may be utilized to provide a common stroke for all of the actuating elements such as II2. Such a single driving means is suggested in Figure 5, by the 'which has its outer surface curved to conform to the inner cylindrical wall of the chamber I4 and is held against the chamber wall by'means of the springs I30. stem I04 which supports the valve shoe I28 has a greater diameter than the forward portion withthe result that a shoulder is formed-at the point Fastened to this.

indicated by the numeral I32. shoulder rigidly by any suitable means is a driving plate I34, the front face of which may be seen in Figure 3, where it will be observed that it has an outer extending portion with resulting shoulders I36 and I38. The forward end of the That portion of the valve I54 which is anchored in position by swaging the casting I0 at points around its circumference as at I56. This plate I54 has two hrge segmental openings I58 and I60 which are best seen in the cut away portion of Figure 2 showing the gate valve 62. Centrally of the plate I54 is a slot to pass a valve stem I62 on the lower end of which is a washer- I64, a gasket I66, a plate I68 and an S-cotter pin I10 which holds these in assembled relationship with the valve stem I62, The upper part of the valve stem I62 has on each side thereof forwardly projecting brackets I12 and I14, see

Figure 3 and particularly Figure 2, where these brackets bear the numbers I13 and I15 for the edge as I1.6 andl18, which in Figure 2 bear the numbers I11 and I19; These notches I16 and I18- are in alignmentand are engageable by the shoulders I36 and I38 respectively of the plate I34 fastened to the valve stem I04. A spring I80 between the bracket portion of the valve stem I62 and the plate' I54 holds the gate valve 60 normally in closed position, I

The operation of the gate valve 60 is apparent .from examiningFigure 3.where the right-hand gate valve 62 is shown in closed position, the

central gate valve 60 in intermediate'position,

and the left-hand gate valve 58 in open position.

The respective positions of the other operable members inside a syrup measuring valve are also shown. Thus, in the right-hand syrup measp uring valve, the inlet closing shoe I29 corresponding to the shoe I28 clears the syrup inlet 22 so that the chamber I6 may fill with syrup. Under these circumstances the 'gate valve 62 is closed. This is the normal or unactuated con- Upon a dition of a syrup measuring valve. counter-clockwise movement of the valve stem to an intermediate position, referring now to the central syrup measuring valve in Figure 3,

the shoe I28 completes the closing of the syrup inlet 20 at the moment the shoulder I36 on the of additional syrup into the measuring valve closes and the gate valve 60 is about to be opened.' As the counter-clockwise movement of the valve stem I04 continues, the operable elements occupy the position shown in theleft-hand syrup measuring valve. Here the valve shoe corresponding to I28 has advanced furthest to the left while the shoulder corresponding to I36 has depressed the valve stem corresponding to I62 until the gate valve 58 has been unseated so as to provide a substantial aperture through which the syrup may flow into the mixing chamber 48. Having described the operable elements of a selective mixing assembly embodying the features of applicants invention, a cycle of operation pointing out various features will now be described. This mixing assembly may be used in association with any selective drink vending machine under which circumstances means will be provided for rotating the driving member such as H2 mounted on the end of the valve stems I02, I04 and I06. Means are indicated in Figure 5. Upon a counter-clockwise motion of one oi these valve stems the cam H8, see Figure 4, will engage the bar 108 and open the carbonated water valve 68. Simultaneously, refer ring to Figure 3, the syrup inlet valve shoe I28 will cut oil the supply of syrup and at the moment when this operation is complete, the plate I34 will cause the valve stem I52 to descend, thereby opening the gate valve 60. The contents of the syrup measuring valve thereupon enter the mixing chamber 48 where it is violently agitated and co-mingled with the carbonated water which is flowing backwardly through the opening 80 of the balile 16 around the entire rear bottom, upper and side walls of the mixing chamber 48 and by a fairly heavy stream flowing through the smaller opening '18 of the baflle 1B. The relative amount of carbonated water passing through the different sized holes 18 and 80 may be varied not only by altering the relative size of the holes but changing the slope of the floor of the mixing chamber 48. As will be appreciated by studying the mounting of this mixing assembly shown in Figure 1, gravity tends to increase the amount of water flowing through the opening I8. The ceiling of the baffle 16, against which is directed all of the carbonated water which does not strike the arm 75, may be sloped in various ways to obtain slightly differ ent results.

The provision of syrup mixing chambers having their axes in parallel or side by side alignment with rotatable valve stems has many advantages. The mixing assembly is rendered compact and the valve stems make it possible to provide simple actuating elements which may be passed through an insulated cabinet wall with a minimum clearance.

The use of the cams such as M8 on a plurality of syrup measuring valve controls in cooperation with a single bar We makes it possible to dispense with a plurality of syrup mixing chambers and carbonated water valves. Making these cams separately adjustable with respect to the syrup measuring valve control with which each of them is associated, makes it possible to adjust the flow of the single carbonated water valve to each syrup measuring valve. By this arrangement it is possible to use syrups of different viscosities in the syrup measuring valves and yet provide a force having a single stroke which may be keyed into or crushed to any one of the syrup measuring valve controls such as the plate 2 and valve stem Hi l.

The use of the gate valve such as 66, which has a large opening, is beneficial not only because it permits a quick release of the syrup from the chamber of the syrup measuring valve but also because there is suiiicient agitation of the various elements within the syrup measuring valve chamber in conjunction with the large opening to upset the surface tension of the syrup and make it possible to dispense with breather lines. In applicant's earlier structure which is shown in the co-pending application, Serial No. 301,528, filed October 2'7, 1939, for a Selective drink vending machine, these breather lines which join a point in the upper part of the syrup measuring valve chamber to the mixing chamber may be seen.

Having thus described by invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A selective beverage mixing assembly comprising a plurality of cylindrical liquid measuring valves having their axes in parallel alignment, an inlet in the upper part and an outlet in the lower part of each liquid measuring valve, a rotatable valve stem mounted in the axis of each measuring valve, a shoe disposed on each valve stem yieldably pressed against the inside wall of its associated liquid measuring valve to open or close the inlet, a gate valve closing the outlet of each liquid measuring valve with a cam on the associated valve stem for opening and closing said gate valve, and means responsive to a rotational movement of the valve stem for adding a quantity of fluid to the contents of its associated liquid measuring valve when the outlet oi the latter is opened.

2. A selective beverage mixing assembly comprising a plurality of liquid measuring valves mounted in horizontal alignment, a separate mixing zone adapted to receive the contents of any of said valves upon actuation thereof, a. valve for introducing a second liquid to said mixing zone, an actuating element operatively associated with each of said liquid measuring valves for actuation thereof and means responsive to operation of any of said actuating ele ments for automatically opening said second liquid valve concurrently with the draining of any actuated liquid measuring valve into the mixing zone.

3. A selective beverage mixing assembly comprising a plurality of liquid measuring valves, 3. separate mixing chamber disposed to receive the contents of any one of said liquid measuring valves, a valve for introducing a second liquid to the mixing chamber, an actuating element operatively associated with each of said liquid measuring valves for actuation thereof, means responsive to theoperation of any of said actuating elements for automatically opening the second liquid valve with the emptying or any liquid measuring valve to the mixing chamber, and means for directing the second liquid over substantially all of the interior surfaces of the mixing chamber.

4. A selective beverage mixing assembly comprising a plurality of liquid measuring valves each having a discharge port, a mixing zone in communication with said discharge ports having a sloping floor with walls tapering downwardly to an outlet, a valve controlling the introduction of a second liquid to said mixing zone, actuating means operatively associated with each of said liquid measuring valves for actuation thereof, means responsive to the operation of any of said actuating means for opening said second liquid valve automatically with the actuation of any one of said liquid measuring valves and means for directing the second liquid in different predetermined directions in said mixing zone, a portion of said liquid being directed to-' ward said outlet and a portion being directed toward said discharge port. 1

5. A selective beverage mixing assembly comprising a plurality of liquid measuring valves, a

single mixing chamber disposed to receive the contents of any one of said liquid measuring valves upon actuation thereof, an actuating element operatively associated with each of said liquid measuring valves for actuation thereof,

means responsive to the operation of any of said actuating elements for automatically admitting a charge of a second liquid to the mixing chamber concurrently with the emptying of any liquid measuring valve into the mixing chamber, and means for closing an actuated liquid measuring valve prior to the closing of the second liquid valve.

6. A selective beverage mixing assembly comprising a plurality of liquid measuring valves, a single mixing chamber disposed to receive'the contents of any one of said liquid measuring valves upon actuation thereof, an actuating element operatively associated with each of said liquid measuring valves for actuation thereof,

mean responsive to the operation of any of said actuating elements for admitting a charge of a second liquid to the mixing chamber concurrently with the emptying of any liquid measuringvalveinto the mixing chamber, and means for closing an actuated liquid measuring valve prior to the closing of the second liquid valve, said means comprising an adjustable-cam carried by a means for actuating each liquid measnamed means comprising a single bar engageable by a cam member operatively associated with each oi. said actuating elements.

8. A selective beverage mixing assembly comprising a plurality of liquid measuring valves wherein the operable elements of each valve are disposed on a rotatable valve stem in the axis of each liquid measuring valve, means for admixmixing chamber whereby a fluid discharging through one of said outlets will be received by the mixing chamber, a valve for introducing a second liquid into the mixing chamber of the second casting and means responsive to each rotation of the valve stem for opening said second liquid valve.

10. A selective beverage mixing assembly com prising a plurality of liquid measuring valves each having an inlet to receive a charge of liquid and an outlet to discharge a measured quantity or said liquid, a single mixing chamber common to the outlets of all of said valves and disposed to receive the contents of any one of said valves upon actuation thereof, an actuating element operatively associated with each of said valves for actuation thereof, and means responsive to the actuation of any of said actuating elements for admitting a charge of a second liquid to the mixing cham'ber concurrently with the discharge of the contents of the measuring valve operatively associated with said actuating element.

11. In combination with a drink vending machine, a plurality of liquid measuring valves each having an inlet to receive a charge oi. liquid and an outlet to discharge a measured quantity of said liquid, and each sloping downwardly in the direction of its outlet, a mixing chamber disposed to receive the contents of any one of said liquid measuring valves upon actuation thereof and sloping in the same general direction as said valves, an actuating element operatively associated with each of said valves for actuation thereof, and means responsive to the'actuation of any of said actuating elements for admitting a charge of a second liquid to the mixing chamber concurrently with the discharge of the contents of the measuring valve operatively associated, with ing a second liquid to the contents of any one of I said liquid measuring valves, and removable means for varying the volume content of each liquid measuring valve, said removable means comprising elements disposed on each valve stem, whereby the mixing assembly may be used for syrups of different strengths.

9. A selective beverage mixing assembly comprising a casting having a plurality of cylindrical chambers opening on one face thereon-inlets in the upper part and outlets in the lower part of each cylindrical chamber; a seat in the closed a wall or each cylindrical chamber to journal a rotatable valve stem, a cover plate for the open front of each cylindrical valve chamber having a hole therein for ioumalling the forward portion of each valve. stem, means mounted on each valve stem for opening and closing the associated inlet and outlet, a second casting having an open top attachedto the main casting so as to form a said actuating element.

12. In a beverage mixing assembly, the combination of a measuring valve adapted to measure and discharge a predetermined volume of liquid, a discharge port associated with said measuring valve through which said measured volume of liquid is discharged, a mixing zone into which the contents or the measuring valve are adapted to be discharged when said valve is actuated, a valve controlling .the introduction of a second liquid into said mixing zone and means directing the flow of said second liquid in a plurality of directions, a portion of said second liquid being directed across the mouth 01' said discharge po 01' said measuring valve.

13. In a beverage mixing assembly, the combination oi! a measuring valve adapted to measure and discharge a predetermined volume or liquid, a discharge port associated with said measuring valve through which said measured volume of liquid is discharged, a mixing zone into which the contents or the measuring valve are adaptedto be discharged when said valve is actuated. a valve controlling the introduction of a second liquid into said mixing zone and means operative concurrently with the actuation of said measuring valve for automatically opening and closing said second valve in timed relationship with the discharge of the contents of said measuring valve into said mixing zoneto cause said second valve to close a short time after the discharge or said liquid from said measuring valve.

JOHN W. CARI-SON. 

